Bowers and Wilkins launch S2 variations of Pi7 and Pi5 wi-fi earbuds

British hi-fi model Bowers & Wilkins has launched new variations of its Pi7 and Pi5 true wi-fi, that includes upgrades in a number of areas.

Probably the most notable enhance for its Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2 is a rise in battery life, prolonged by 5 hours for every mannequin, bringing them to 16 and 19 hours respectively.

The brand new buds will combine with Bowers & Wilkins Music app, very like the Px7 S2 and Px8 over-ears, with set-up, settings configuration the power to stream hi-res audio straight from the app to the earbuds doable from providers reminiscent of Qobuz, Tidal and Deezer.

The Pi7 S2 continues to supply the Wi-fi Audio Retransmission function the unique dropped at prominence, permitting customers to attach the charging case to an exterior audio supply and retransmit audio to the buds. Voice assist can be doable with this function, with compatibility with both Siri or Google Assistant.

There’s no point out of Snapdragon Sound, the Pi7 S2 seems to be sticking with aptX Adaptive for larger high quality audio and a stickier connection to a supply machine. This hi-res constancy can be helped by every bud have the ability to transmit audio at 24-bit/48kHz between them.

The Pi7 S2 has 9.2mm drive items partnered with a balanced armature driver with educate of the 4 drive items powered by its personal amplifier. Adaptive Noise Cancellation displays noise ranges and adapts the efficiency to provide the most effective noise cancelling doable. The ANC system is paired with six microphones, with three in every earbud, to offer crystal clear sound with telephone calls.

There’s no Adaptive ANC for the Pi5 S2, with customers capable of modify the power of the noise cancelling as effectively entry to an ambient pass-through mode. It additionally settles aptX Bluetooth, which B&W says is able to transmitting audio at CD-quality ranges, with its sound produced by single 9.2mm bespoke driver.

The S2 variations additionally imply carry new finishes with a Midnight Blue becoming a member of black and white finishes for the Pi7 S2, and the Pi5 S2 obtainable in Cloud Gray, Storm Gray, Spring Lilac, and Sage Inexperienced (the inexperienced end arrives later in 2023). What hasn’t modified is the value, £349 / €399 / $399 / AUD$700 for the Pi7 S2 and £249 / €299 / $299 / AUD$450 for the Pi5 S2. The earphones are on sale beginning January twenty fifth, 2023.

Whereas we loved Bowers & Wilkins earlier efforts within the true wi-fi area, they weren’t the most effective at their respective value factors for efficiency. Right here’s hoping the S2 fashions hit a better degree given the true wi-fi market has been elevated for the reason that launch of the B&W’s earphones by the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.